You Are Getting Very Very Sleepy ......

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Ok, not exactly.

But, a few months back I took an introductory hypnotherapy course that lasted a month. The reason I took it was because I have been seriously considering training to do this professionally before I do grad school. I read a lot about hypnotherapy's uses in my psychology classes and I have had such great experiences with re-setting my emotional and mental state with meditation that hypnotherapy seemed like a natural step. However, as much as I enjoyed the program I did, there were things about this particular school and some of their training that made me decide I would look at some different schools, while I'm applying to graduate programs.

At the same time, I've been trying to get myself back in the habit of eating well and exercising and I have been inconsistent and haphazard to say the least. Food I can control, but the exercise is where I fail. Icy cold and rainy days have kept me mostly inside, then we were without a television for a while so no DVD workouts. We got a new TV about a week ago, but still I procrastinated. I wondered -- get a Wii.... join a gym....what??? Or, would I just ignore both of these and waste my money? It wouldn't be the first time.

As I revisited the idea of training, I decided I ought to be my own guinea pig first. When one goes to a hypnotherapist, they are being led in the session. However, one can also self-hypnotize and/or use a recording of their own voice with their own intentions. I have a set of recordings designed to kickstart me, and as I get further, I will make my own recordings that will be tailored to what I want to achieve.

I'm only on day 2, but I am finding this all very interesting. I start the day with a session that reinforces healthy eating and movement, and relaxes my mind around judgements (mine or those I perceive from others). I do another session just before dinner to unwind from the day and prepare to make good meal choices, and I end the day with either a meditation or another short 15 minutes to release my day and set myself up for a good waking and to set the intention to get some exercise the following morning.

No matter what, it is an interesting process. I will say, cravings have been really gone, but I'm still bucking the exercise a bit.

Maybe when my Italian grandmother used to call after me, "Testa dura!" (hard head), she knew what she was talking about. Maybe it will take more than a few days to get past this block.

My plan is to keep this up and journal about it for 30 days and just see what happens. Hey, if I can't play with my days and my routines ... then where's the fun?

You and I need to team up... I'm pretty consistent with exercise and not so good with my eating!

I've actually thought about doing this for dealing with my emotional eating. Although that has gotten much better over the years, I do find that it's so deeply rooted that it can get reactivated from time to time.